Traveling to different cities around the world and not knowing the time zone can be frustrating. When you are going from one place to another, it is beneficial to have a watch that figures out the time for you so that you can enjoy your trip. Many watches feature a dual time or world time clock to make your next personal or business trip not miss a beat.
Dual Time watches have been around since 1853 when Tissot invented the first watch that could tell time for two different locations. Since then, dual and world time watches have made great strides with the development of atomic time and radio control time mechanisms.
The GMT timepiece got its start for aviators and could easily keep track of two time zones, which was a necessity for many soldiers. These watches usually have two hands displaying time on 12-hour marks. A third hand allows the user to set a second time-zone.
World time watches operate using all 24 time zones across the globe. This is usually done by an outer ring marked with each time zone. With a turn of a dial, you can see what time it is anywhere in the world.
If you love to globe trot and find yourself in different time zones, having a dual or world time watch is a great decision to make if you want an easy way to keep track of time wherever you travel to. We have put together a list of the top 5 dual time and world time watches under $300 to make your selection easier.
Quick Compare
Watch | Size | Crystal | Band | Price Point |
Citizen AT9010-52E![]() Check Price | 43mm | Sapphire | Stainless steel | $$$$$ |
Seiko SSC508 Prospect![]() Check Price | 42mm | Mineral | Stainless steel | $$$$ |
Victorinox 241440 Maverick![]() Check Price | 44mm | Sapphire | Rubber | $$ |
Invicta 22985 Aviator![]() Check Price | 49mm | Mineral | Stainless steel | $ |
AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II![]() Check Price | 43mm | Mineral | Leather calfskin | $$ |
Citizen Eco-Drive AT9010-52E
This Japanese quartz movement watch by Citizen is powered by Eco-Drive technology. It allows the user to simply have the watch in artificial or natural light for charging. With a power reserve indicator letting you know when your timepiece needs to charge, you never have to worry about replacing another battery. The silver-tone stainless steel design features a linked bracelet with a fold over closure clasp for added security and has a 43mm stainless steel case for a masculine stance. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal window allows the wearer to see the time clearly and gives the window added strength.
With a date display at 3 o’clock and alternating baguette markers and numbers, the face of the AT9010-52E is streamlined and easy to read. The orange contrasts enhance the sporty design of the watch. The watch is synchronized to an Atomic clock for accuracy and features both dual time and a daily alarm. With the addition of radio controlled world time for 26 time zones, you will never have to worry about resetting your watch for your destinations. The Citizen AT9010-52E has a water resistance rating of 220m/660ft, perfect for most water sports. This is the most expensive watch on the list, if your going to traveling with it through border security you may want to invest in a nice single watch travel case to protect it from any hard hits or scratches.
Seiko SSC508 Prospect
The Seiko men’s Prospect watch features a 42mm case made of stainless steel that is 12mm thick. The silver toned band measured 22mm in width and is a men’s standard for length. This watch is durable and includes a synthetic sapphire crystal window that protects the black dial face. Lumibrite inlays the hands and hour markers for a luminous effect that is vibrant in low light conditions. A date calendar is well placed and simple to read, and the watch has a water resistant rating of 100m/330ft.
You will be able to globetrot with ease with the world time feature that includes 25 cities with an hour and minute display. The Seiko SSC508 also comes with a daily alarm and a power reserve indicator. A chronograph sub dial measures up to 24 hours in 1/5 sec increments and has a split time feature. Overall this watch has everything you need to travel the world and never miss another important business meeting. The watch can be worn in any circumstance, and the black dial adds class and sophistication. If you are looking for a robust yet classic design in a timepiece that features world time, this may be the ideal watch for you.
Victorinox Swiss Army 241440 Maverick
If a sporty design is more your style, the Victorinox Swiss Army 241440 Maverick has you covered. This watch encompasses athleticism with its stainless steel design and complimentary rubber wristband. The wristband measures 22mm in width and is a standard men’s length with a buckle closure. From the creators of the famous Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox has added all of the features you need for a dual time display timepiece. The case measures 44mm in diameter with an 11mm thickness.
The gear-edged unidirectional bezel that can be used to track time is made of stainless steel and wraps around the anti-reflective sapphire dial window. A subdial is located at 6 o’clock, and a handy date window is positioned at 12 o’clock. The fluted crown is easy to use to set your dual clock display. With a water resistant rating of 100m/330ft, the Maverick watch by Victorinox can be utilized for almost all water sports except scuba. All in all, if you are considering a casual yet sporty timepiece and only need the dual time feature, this watch is a solid choice!
Invicta 22985 Aviator
Aviator watches are known for having dual or world time and the Invicta 22985 Aviator does not disappoint. The 49mm case made of black ion plated stainless steel is 15mm thick and features a black dial with white arrow hands and white Arabic numbers. With its red accents and luminous inlays, this watch has a casual yet active appearance. With a Flame Fusion crystal, the dial window is durable and scratch resistant. The black stainless steel crown also has red accents and is easy to use for adjustments.the 28mm wristband is comfortable and includes a fold over clasp closure for ease of wear
A bi-directional bezel with GMT feature makes world travel time telling straightforward and accurate. The 22985 garnishes two subdials for reading the day of the week and date. You can wear this watch to depths of 100m/330ft in water with confidence, but it is not recommended for scuba diving. The Aviator is a modern rendition of classic aviator timepieces, and with the contrasting red accents, this watch is unique and an overall eye-catching timepiece. If you are looking for a bold design watch that pays tribute to old-world timepieces, this may be exactly what you are looking for.
AVI-8 AV-4004-02 Hawker Harrier II
Inspired by the jump jet fighter planes with the same name, the AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Men’s Watch is modern, angular and remarkable. With a Tonneau shaped case measuring 43mm in diameter and 11mm thick, this watch is masculine! The black dial is protected by a scratch-resistant mineral crystal window and is packed with unique and eye-catching features. Firstly, the black dial has a slight texture to it and the white hands and markers contract well. Both the hour and minute hand are inlaid with a green luminous insert and the second hand is tipped with a red fighter jet. You will find a date window surrounded by a red and blue ring that really stands out against the black dial.
There are two crowns on the Hawker Harrier II watch that have rubber inserts for extra grip. The top crown moves the inner bezel on the dial and the bottom changes the date and time. Positioned at 8 o’clock, is the GMT dual time retrograde semi-circle that is a unique take on the dual time feature on many watches. A black calfskin leather strap is stitched with white for additional contrast and comes with a deployment clasp for security. With the combination of brushed and polished stainless steel, this watch is distinctive and fashion-forward. Water sports are not recommended as the water resistance rating is only 50m/165ft. This watch by AVI-8 has such unusual characteristics that any watch aficionado would happily add it to their growing collection of timepieces.
Globetrotting with the Perfect Watch
Whether you want to purchase a timepiece that can read dual time zones or need a watch that has the ability to read every time zone, there is a watch on this list for you. All for under $300, these 5 Top Dual Time or World Time watches are fantastic choices for what you are looking for in a reliable watch. Each of the 5 watches has unique and distinctive design elements, and we are confident that you will be happy with any of the choices mentioned above. Enjoy and happy traveling!
Leave a Reply